By Brenda L. Holmes
DANVILLE — Hendricks County Senior Services recently welcomed Andrew Hebel as the organization’s first transportation manager.
“I started working here a year ago in August,” Hebel said. “This position was posted and I applied.”
HCSS offers transportation for seniors ages 60 and older for daily necessities on a donation basis and LINK, a fee based transportation service, for Hendricks County residents of any age.
Hebel had been retired when he began working part time as a driver for HCSS.
“I semi-retired in 2002 and then went into full retirement in ‘06,” he said. “And, to be honest, I needed a break.”
He said after some time off he “recharged his batteries” and decided it was time to go back to work.
“When this position became available I thought my past experience would do this position well,” he said.
Hebel had two careers prior to his retirement. He was a general manager with Coca Cola and was a field vice president with American Express Financial Advisors.
He said he fits in well at HCSS and has enjoyed getting to know the staff and the community.
“I think part of the reason people want to work here is to give back to the community,” Hebel said. “These are good people and they are doing it for the right reason.”
Beth Ann Leach, executive director at HCSS, said the new position was necessary.
“We have created the position of transportation manager in an effort to keep up with the demand for transportation needs in Hendricks County,” she said.
Hebel has been on the job since September and is developing the position. He said the agency will receive two new 14-passenger transit vans and three new eight-passenger transit vans as a result of a grant from the stimulus package. He expects to take delivery of the vehicles in the first quarter of 2010.
“We’ve accomplished an awful lot in two months,” he said. “We are trying to expand and get a lot more ridership. We want more vehicles on the road.”
His goal is to increase efficiencies in the department to the point where individuals will only need to give 24 to 48 hours notice to schedule a ride.
At his point, the department asks for 48 hours notice to book a trip.
“But now we are in a position if people call us the day they need a ride we can at least try to make it happen,” he said.
Appointments are made on a first come/first served basis for door-to-door transportation including wheelchair transport, portable oxygen, attendants, and service animals for destinations in Hendricks and surrounding counties.
Transportation is available five days a week during office hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, call 745-4303.
HCSS is at 1201 Sycamore Lane, Danville. It is funded in part by United Way of Central Indiana, CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, and donations of individuals and community organizations.
brenda.holmes@flyergroup.com
